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Pete's Harbor appeal delayed

January 30, 2013, 05:00 AM By Michelle Durand Daily Journal Staff

As expected, the appeal of approved permits for the development of Pete's Harbor was postponed more than three months by the Redwood City Council Monday night so it can clarify whether the current owner's lease requires it to maintain a commercial marina.

The anticipated delay, however, didn't stop some supporters of the tenants from addressing the council before it voted to push the appeal to May 6.

James Lee, a representative of Occupy RWC which has thrown its weight behind the harbor tenants opposing the plan and their eviction, said the postponement validates its argument about the city needing to take more time.

"The appeal delay indicates the reason why we came here. There are a lot of moving parts here with the State Lands Commission, with the [San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission], " Lee said, according to a video of the meeting. "There are too many moving parts for this development to be fast-tracked.”

Last week, city staff told the council it should stave off the appeal of the Planning Commission's approval until after the State Lands Commission clarifies whether the planned development's private marina violates the earlier lease agreement with Pete's Harbor owner Paula Uccelli.

"It's more complete than what everyone first thought,” City Manager Bob Bell said at Monday night's meeting. "That decision could potentially change the project.”

Both the developer and a member of the tenants group agreed to the delay.

If the State Land Commission ultimately rejects the lease transfer, the Planning Commission's approval of a planned development permit and parking exception will be rendered moot.

Uccelli, who inherited the 21-acre site from her late husband, plans to sell the harbor to developer Pauls Corp. and transfer the lease for the outer marina. But plan opponents are suing Uccelli, saying the lease with the SLC requires a commercial harbor, and the City Council said it also wants answers before spending time on the appeal.

The project in question calls for 411 residential units adjacent to the marina and the private marina for residents.

A spokeswoman for tenants balking at their eviction earlier called the delay proposal a confirmation of their arguments. But one speaker Monday night, Leslie Webster, said Alison Madden is merely a member of the Save Pete's Harbor 2012 group and not its sole representative.

Other speakers asked the city to step in against the evictions but Bell explained that the city has no say in that process.

Harbor tenants were given until Jan. 15 to vacate and Uccelli has said their eviction stands regardless of the appeal's outcome. Several remain on the site, either through granted time extensions or protest.